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[152]
But there was nothing that affected the nation so much, in the calamities
they were then under, as that their holy place, which had been hitherto
seen by none, should be laid open to strangers; for Pompey, and those that
were about him, went into the temple itself 1
whither it was not lawful for any to enter but the high priest, and saw
what was reposited therein, the candlestick with its lamps, and the table,
and the pouring vessels, and the censers, all made entirely of gold, as
also a great quantity of spices heaped together, with two thousand talents
of sacred money. Yet did not he touch that money, nor any thing else that
was there reposited; but he commanded the ministers about the temple, the
very next day after he had taken it, to cleanse it, and to perform their
accustomed sacrifices. Moreover, he made Hyrcanus high priest, as one that
not only in other respects had showed great alacrity, on his side, during
the siege, but as he had been the means of hindering the multitude that
was in the country from fighting for Aristobulus, which they were otherwise
very ready to have done; by which means he acted the part of a good general,
and reconciled the people to him more by benevolence than by terror. Now,
among the Captives, Aristobulus's father-in-law was taken, who was also
his uncle: so those that were the most guilty he punished with decollatlon;
but rewarded Faustus, and those with him that had fought so bravely, with
glorious presents, and laid a tribute upon the country, and upon Jerusalem
itself.

1 Thus
says Tacitus: Cn. Pompelna first of all subdued the Jews, and went into
their temple, by right of conquest, Hist. B. V. ch. 9. Nor did he touch
any of its riches, as has been observed on the parallel place of the Antiquities,
B. XIV. ch. 4. sect. 4, out of Cicero himself.

Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.

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